Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to Scholarships for Elementary School Students

Education is an investment, and the earlier you start planning, the better. While many associate scholarships with college and high school, opportunities exist for elementary school students to alleviate future education costs. This article explores the landscape of scholarships for younger students, highlighting various programs and strategies to help families navigate this often-overlooked area.

The Importance of Early Scholarship Searches

Elementary school might seem early to start thinking about scholarships, but the reality is that early planning can significantly ease the financial burden of higher education later on. Every dollar saved or won through scholarships is one less dollar that needs to be borrowed. Starting early allows families to explore various options and prepare their children for future academic pursuits.

CalKIDS Program: Investing in California's Future

California recognizes the importance of early investment in education through the CalKIDS program. This initiative provides scholarships to eligible children and students in California, aiming to promote college savings and access to higher education.

Eligibility and Award Amounts

All children born in California on or after July 1, 2022, are eligible for CalKIDS. The initial scholarship amounts vary based on the birth year:

\$25 for children born between July 2022 and June 2023.
\$100 for children born on or after July 1, 2023.

Additional bonuses are available:

Read also: Camp Scholarships Guide

\$25 bonus when you claim your CalKIDS Scholarship Account.
\$50 bonus when you link your CalKIDS account with a ScholarShare 529 account.

CalKIDS for Public School Students

There are two groups of California public-school students who may be eligible for a CalKIDS Scholarship:

Public school students enrolled in grades 1-12 during the 2021-2022 academic year.
Public school students enrolled in the 1st grade during the 2022-2023 academic year and every school year thereafter.

Scholarship Award Amounts:

\$500 for low-income or English learner public school students
\$500 more for foster youth
\$500 more for homeless youth

To be eligible, your child must have been enrolled on Fall Census Day and must also be identified as English Learner or low-income by the Local Control Funding Formula. And, that information must be reported to the California Department of Education.

Confirm Eligibility

*Eligibility determined by Local Control Funding Formula **Fall Census Day is the first Wednesday in October of the academic year

Read also: Benefits of NSHSS Scholarships

How to Claim a CalKIDS Scholarship

Claiming a CalKIDS Scholarship involves a few simple steps:

For Children Born in California (after July 1, 2022)

Local Registration Number (LRN) on child’s birth certificate or CalKIDS Code on the letter you received
Child’s date of birth
County where child was born

Please wait 90 days after your child’s birth to claim their CalKIDS Scholarship Account.

For Students

Statewide Student Identifier (SSID) or CalKIDS Code on the letter you received
Student’s date of birth
County where student was enrolled

Using CalKIDS Funds

CalKIDS money can be used at eligible higher education institutions across the country. This includes community colleges, universities, vocational schools, and professional schools. To check if your school qualifies use the Federal School Code Search Tool.

CalKIDS funds can be used to cover education expenses such as…

Tuition and fees
Books and supplies
Room and board
Computer equipment

To use your money for a qualified education expense, follow these simple steps:

Read also: Scholarship Guide

Step 1: Log in to your CalKIDS account
Step 2: Click “Request Distribution” and follow the directions

Scholarships and Contests for Elementary Students

While scholarships specifically for elementary students might be fewer in number compared to those for older students, several opportunities exist. These often focus on creativity, special skills, or community involvement.

Art-Based Scholarships

Doodle 4 Google: This annual art contest invites students in grades K-12 to create a Google Doodle based on a specific theme. The winner's artwork is featured on the Google homepage, and the student's school receives a technology grant.
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards: While primarily for students in grades 7-12, younger students can still participate and gain recognition for their artistic talents.
Dick Blick Mixed Media Contest: Dick Blick sponsors an annual contest for students in grades K-12 to express their experiences and imagine what they can connect to with art.
River of Words: This contest in poetry and art provides support to children who translate their observations into creative expression.

STEM-Focused Scholarships

Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards: This competition encourages creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration in improving existing technologies. Students develop a science project and submit its template to the judging committee.
STEM competition under Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision: Encourages creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration in improving existing technologies.
Paradigm Challenge: A student contest with winners who reveal top creativity in solving real-life problems.

Scholarships for Young Changemakers

Action For Nature Eco-Hero Award: This award recognizes youth aged 8 to 16 who have completed environmental projects focused on environmental advocacy, environmental health, research, or protection of the natural world.
Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes: This prize is awarded annually to U.S. and Canadian students, aged 8-18, who have developed an extraordinary service project that helped people and the planet.
Prudential Emerging Visionaries: Prudential Emerging Visionaries recognizes young people, ages 14 - 18, for their inspiring commitment to change.

Other Notable Scholarships and Contests

MATHCOUNTS: A national math competition for middle school students (grades 6-8).
National Geography Bee: Open to U.S. students in grades 4-8.
National History Day Contest: Open to students in grades 6-12.
National Spelling Bee: Open to students in grades 1-8.

Scholarships with Essay Writing

Brighterly Math Equity Scholarship: A contest with a prize, supporting the future math growth of a child.
Patriot’s Pen: An essay writing contest (patriotic theme) sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). It is open to U.S. students in grades 6-8.
Stossel Essay Contest: Asks students to choose among topics.

Strategies for Finding and Winning Scholarships

Start Early: Begin the search process early in your child's academic career.
Involve Your Child: Include your child in the search process to foster their interest and ownership.
Explore Local Opportunities: Check local newspapers, community blogs, and organizations for local scholarships.
Highlight Strengths: Focus on scholarships that align with your child's strengths and interests.
Prepare Thorough Applications: Pay attention to detail and submit well-crafted applications.

Addressing the Challenges: COPPA and Online Privacy

The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) restricts the online collection of personal information from children under age 13, making it difficult to find scholarships for this age group through online databases. This is why many traditional scholarship search engines may not list opportunities for younger students.

Alternative Funding Options: 529 Plans and Coverdell ESAs

In addition to scholarships, families can explore other avenues for funding their children's education:

529 Plans: These are tax-advantaged savings plans that help parents pay for their children's tuition. While contributions are not tax-deductible for federal income taxes, many states offer tax deductions or credits.
Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (ESAs): These are tax-deferred trust accounts for education expenses, offering both tax-free earnings growth and withdrawals.

Private K-12 School Options

Attending a private K-12 school comes with many benefits. These include an emphasis on academics, smaller class sizes, and better networking opportunities that are attractive to parents all across the country. However, attending a private school often comes with a heavy cost - one that is sometimes comparable to college tuition costs. Despite this, it is still possible to send your child to a private K-12 with the help of some financial aid.

Financial Aid for Private Schools

Many private K-12 schools do offer financial aid to students with demonstrated financial need. Thus, our first recommendation would be to directly contact your child’s school’s financial aid or administrative office.
Education vouchers are essentially government-funded certificates that allow K-12 students to attend a private school of their parents’ choice. This funding typically lasts a specified amount of time, with this time varying by voucher. Vouchers are based on families’ financial needs.
Some private organizations offer vouchers/scholarships.
Some K-12 scholarships and financial aid opportunities are specifically for students of color.
Some religious organizations provide financial aid to help students! If you’re planning on sending your child to a Catholic private school specifically, we highly recommend reaching out to local archdioceses. They will often provide tuition assistance for Catholic schools within their jurisdiction, and thus are definitely worth giving a call.

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